The Game Awards 2025 delivered a packed night of celebration, surprises, and major gaming reveals, capping off a year that saw both critical standouts and blockbuster hits. Hosted in December at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony honored the best games of the year, showcased world premieres, dropped release windows for highly anticipated sequels, and spotlighted both indie darlings and mainstream heavyweights. The evening was a clear statement of where the industry stands heading into 2026.
The ceremony opened with vibrant energy and musical performances, setting the tone for a night that blended award recognition with high-profile announcements. As always, developers, publishers, and audiences came together — both in person and online — to witness a mix of competitive achievement and forward-looking reveals.
At the heart of the show was a sweeping victory for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a breakout title developed by Sandfall Interactive. The game became one of the most decorated of all time at The Game Awards, winning a record number of trophies and earning the coveted Game of the Year award. Its success spanned categories from narrative to art direction, underscoring how strongly it resonated with both critics and audiences alike.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the night with major honors across categories that recognize craft and execution. It won Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Art Direction, Best Score and Music, Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best RPG, showcasing a rare dominance at the ceremony. Its lead performer, Jennifer English, also won Best Performance for her role in the game. Beyond its technical and storytelling achievements, the title’s reception reflects a growing appetite for games that blend emotional depth with bold creative vision.
But the show wasn’t just about one game. Many categories celebrated a range of genres and experiences, from sprawling RPGs and action adventures to mobile and family titles. Hades 2 took home Best Action Game, while Hollow Knight: Silksong secured Best Action/Adventure Game. Mario Kart World was recognized as Best Sports/Racing Game, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles earned Best Sim/Strategy Game.
Other standout winners included ARC Raiders as Best Multiplayer Game, Umamusume: Pretty Derby as Best Mobile Game, and Donkey Kong Bananza as Best Family Game. The VR/AR space was highlighted with Best VR/AR Game going to The Midnight Walk, emphasizing that immersive experiences continue to carve out their own space in the industry.
Beyond technical and creative craft, the ceremony also recognized ongoing community and impact achievements. Baldur’s Gate 3 claimed Best Community Support, and No Man’s Sky was honored again as Best Ongoing Game, reinforcing its long-term evolution and player engagement. Battlefield 6 picked up Best Audio Design, while DOOM: The Dark Ages was celebrated for its Innovation & Accessibility. The Games for Impact award went to South of Midnight, highlighting titles that harness the medium for meaningful themes.
The awards also honored creators and community voices, with Content Creator of the Year going to MoistCr1TiKaL, Players’ Voice awarded to Wuthering Waves, and Game Changer being presented to the nonprofit organization Girls Make Games, which advocates for greater diversity in the industry. On the esports side, Counter-Strike 2 was named Best Esports Game, with individual and team honors going to players and teams who dominated the competitive scene.
Alongside these awards, the show was a platform for major world premieres and trailers. Several highly anticipated titles made their first big appearances, offering glimpses into what players can expect in 2026 and beyond. Highlights included the announcement of Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a major new action RPG that taps into one of gaming’s most treasured franchises, and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a new entry in fast-paced sci-fi racing.
Capcom confirmed Resident Evil Requiem, starring Leon S. Kennedy, building on fans’ excitement for the next mainline entry. Fans also got extended looks and release details for Nioh 3, slated for a February 2026 launch, and Phantom Blade Zero, which finally revealed a release date in late 2026.
Long-running franchises also made noise. Mega Man: Dual Override was teased for 2027, bringing the classic blue bomber back in a fresh platforming approach, while Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve thrilled flight-combat fans with cinematic aerial gameplay. Tomb Raider franchise news included not one but two new games — Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst — underlining the enduring appeal of Lara Croft’s adventures.
Other trailers and announcements spotlighted expansions and new chapters for beloved franchises. Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred unveiled its next big expansion with new classes and endgame content, while Lords of the Fallen 2, Exodus, and No Law teased diverse takes on action, narrative, and world design. Indie titles such as Bradley the Badger and Out of Words brought variety and creativity to the lineup, appealing to niche tastes and broader audiences alike.
The night also offered glimpses at cross-platform developments, from PC gems to handheld and console entries, affirming that gaming continues to push boundaries across devices. Surprise reveals, new intellectual properties, and updates to major sagas reinforced how richly varied the industry has become.
By the show’s conclusion, The Game Awards 2025 had amplified both recognition for excellence and excitement for the future. With a new record-setting champion in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a slate of fresh announcements, and recognition for community and esports achievements, the ceremony not only celebrated the last year but set the tone for what’s ahead.
Complete Winners List — The Game Awards 2025
Game of the Year: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Game Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Narrative: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Art Direction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Score & Music: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Independent Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Debut Indie Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best RPG: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Best Action Game: Hades 2
Best Action/Adventure Game: Hollow Knight: Silksong
Best Multiplayer Game: ARC Raiders
Best Sports/Racing Game: Mario Kart World
Best Sim/Strategy Game: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Best Mobile Game: Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Best Family Game: Donkey Kong Bananza
Best VR/AR: The Midnight Walk
Best Community Support: Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Audio Design: Battlefield 6
Best Ongoing Game: No Man’s Sky
Best Performance: Jennifer English
Players’ Voice: Wuthering Waves
Innovation & Accessibility: DOOM: The Dark Ages
Games for Impact: South of Midnight
Best Adaptation: The Last of Us: Season 2
Most Anticipated Game: Grand Theft Auto VI
Content Creator of the Year: MoistCr1TiKaL
Best Esports Game: Counter-Strike 2
Best Esports Athlete: Jung “Chovy” Ji-hoon
Best Esports Team: Team Vitality
Major Announcements and Reveals
• Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic (new action RPG)
• Star Wars: Galactic Racer (new franchise entry)
• Resident Evil Requiem (Leon S. Kennedy confirmed)
• Nioh 3 (release details)
• Phantom Blade Zero (release date)
• Mega Man: Dual Override (2027 teaser)
• Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
• Tomb Raider: Catalyst
• Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred (expansion details)
• Lords of the Fallen 2 (new trailer)
• Exodus (new world reveal)
• No Law (new FPS reveal)
• Bradley the Badger (indie reveal)
• Out of Words (co-op adventure)
